It's been quite a long time since a music album from Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts banner (apart from YUVRAAJ of course) has had a successful show in terms of sales volumes generated. And that is quite sad and ironic since in the past any musical offering from the Ghai stable always had a stamp of class written all over it and music patrons used to throng the stores to buy them. Ghai always had ears for good music, he showed that with his last directed film, YUVRAAJ, which may not have succeeded at the turnstile but had excellent music by music maestro A.R.Rahman. However it appears that Ghai has not been able to pay much attention to music of the films produced under his banner but not directed by him (although this film is produced by his brother Ashok Ghai, a veteran producer himself), unlike a Karan Johar or Aditya Chopra, whose films despite not being directed by them always boast of some chartbusting music. Well, let us see if Ghai has learnt from his previous mistakes and if his latest offering has anything novel and exciting to offer, and especially with Pritam at the helm of affairs, it would not be wrong for us to expect some chartbusters and popular music.

Continuing with the present tradition of remixing old classic dance/item numbers (which started with the super success of Sajid Khan's "Dhanno" HOUSEFULL) and changing the lyrics to suit the narrative and mood of the film Pritam has once again(after "Parda"-OUATIM) picked up a timeless composition, "Aa Jaane Jaan"(INTEQAM), a rare cabaret number sung by the nightingale herself Lata Mangeshkar. However, the highlight of the track is not the way the song has been remixed and re-arranged but the way it has been rendered by the lead actor of the film, Jaaved Jaffery, who has given the song his unique humorous touch that is almost rip roaring. Giving him support and ample oomph factor necessary for the song are Akriti Kakkar and Antara Mitra, who pitch in for Lata and do a good job in their seductively sweet vocals. The lyrics (retaining the 'mukhda of the original as has been the norm) by Shabbir Ahmed too are hilarious and when we hear the song in the context of the film, (which is about sexual harassment at work place and the boss harbouring bad intentions against the women working in his office), the song becomes all the more funny as well as situationally correct. The song will raise quite a few laughs especially, because of Jaaved who is at his zany best with the three sex sirens, Celina Jaitley, Gul Panag and Eesha Koppikar raising the heat as can be seen in the promos.

The next number, "Band Baaja", seems to be a continuation of the album from Imtiaz Ali's LOVE AAJ KAL, and the song appears to be a mixture of "Chor Bazari" and "Thoda Thoda Pyaar" but it is highly enjoyable in it's new avatar. Rana Mazumdar sings almost like Neeraj Sridhar (who is highly missed here) but he too does a good job and the queen of folk numbers, Richa Sharma, along with Ritu Pathak provide good back up support. The totally rustic Punjabi feel, though done to death by most composers, has been conveyed effectively through superb musical arrangements that are traditional as well as western; 'dhol-taasha', 'ektara', harmonium and the customary brass band, used in Indian marriage functions. Ashish Pandit has written the lyrics of this celebration number and even though this situation has seen innumerable numbers, Ashish is outstanding. "Na duja kaam koi bas tujhpe marna kaam bacha hai, Tujhe sab saunp diya bas paas mere mera naam bacha hai, Jo karna tha tu kar baithi ab qatle aam bacha hai ." The song should be a sure fire hit but needs heavy duty promotion.

The remix version too is enjoyable and the rap portions as well as the rhythm added make the song more youth and dance oriented.

For the next number, "Dil To Saala", Pritam once again takes a trip down the memory lane this time to the 90s and a mix and match is achieved through Rahman's "Tumko Tada"(HINDUSTANI) and "Maye Ni Maye"(HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN) as the inspiration for this Sunidhi Chauhan rendered composition. The composition is an entirely situational one but this rhythmic, light hearted, fun and frolic number will lighten up the mood of the audience, if choreographed well. Lyrics by Kumaar are routine and a lot of common abuses like 'saala' and 'ullu ka patha' have been used but by now we have got used to such language!

Suzzane D'Mello who mostly provides the oomph factor in super hit dance numbers composed by Pritam gets a full fledged composition this time and true to her image it's a hip - hop cum rap number, "Attrah Baras Ki'. However, it's the rather pathetic rhythm and tune that lets her down, even though she tries her level best to rise above this average sounding composition. Even Shabbir Ahmed's lyrics do no good to a number that is barely bearable because of Suzzane's crisp vocals. Would have been better if Pritam had done a remixed version of Amitabh-Rekha's iconic number "Attrah Baras Ki" (SUHAAG) which was such a rage during it's time and is still remembered.

Pritam signs off with the situational "Working Girls", a number that encapsulates the whole mood of the film and so this track can be also classified as the theme song and used as a background score in the movie. The tune is quite similar to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's "Heyy Babyy" title track but the arrangements are entirely different and more rap has been used here. Since the film is about three girls working in an office and the problems they face, there are three female singers, Shweta Pandit, Ritu Pathak and Priyadarshini, for the song that talks about women empowerment and their dreams of making it big in a male dominated world . Mostly they sing in tandem and it's quite difficult to figure out who is better but on the whole they do a professional job. Shabbir Ahmed redeems himself as the lyrics that he pens are in sync with the theme of the film and provides an insight into the film, which is the motto of the song.

Summing up, the music album of HELLO DARLING is quite a disappointment especially in view of the fact that it is composed by the numero-uno composer, Pritam, who has always delivered the goods irrespective of banners, producers, directors or actors. Although two songs, "Aa Jaane Jaan" and "Band Baaja" are good and have the potential to climb the charts if publicized well and provide the right impetus to the movie at the ticket window.